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Topic: The handiest thing to take on a cruise

Ascendancy
First Class Passenger
Member # 840

posted 02-14-2000 02:54 PM

Besides the obvious, tickets, passport, etc.
I once took a roll of duct tape and was I happy. We stayed in a room with no safe and my wife handed me a wad of bills to hide somewhere in the room. (I didn't want to go to the evil purser desk) I threw the wad over the light above the desk and the wad fell down between the wall and mirror. I couldn't reach it with my arm. So I stretched a hanger and some sticky tape at the end and fished it out very carefully.
Tape also has other uses like fixing clothing, torn suitcases and taping notes for the room steward.

Posts: 354 | From: Aurora, CO | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 02-14-2000 03:34 PM

My husband also always took duct tape on cruises. Fixed the handle of my suitcase and repaired our escort's suitcase, which fell open as we left the ship to board the bus home to the airport. Boy was the escort glad he had it.
He also always carried a Swiss Army knife, packed in his checked luggage. Came in handy many times.
After I saw Corinnes's post (forgot zip-lock bags - great things), I thought of fleecy/bounce sheets for the dryer, just a couple which you can cut in half, small box of detergent which you can get from a laundremat, or put some soap in a zip-lock bag for hand washing, needle, thread & scissors, or a little travelling sewing kit - never know when you have to make a quick repair. I also take a bunch of hooks that look like the top of a coat hanger with a clothes peg at the botton to hang hand washing on the line that is in the bathtub, or even on the towel rack. I take more junk than I need and always swear that I am going to cut down, but I never do. One day I will.

[This message has been edited by sympatico (edited 02-14-2000).]

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

MagnmPI
First Class Passenger
Member # 299

posted 02-14-2000 04:44 PM

Ascendancy, Is there something wrong with utilizing the purser's desk for valuables? That is usually my next option when there isn't a safe in a room. Any horror stories?

Duct tape huh...you learn something new everyday. I like to buy bottled water before I get on the ship to use for excursions.

Posts: 545 | From: San Francisco Bay Area | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

corinne at travelpage
First Class Passenger
Member # 537

posted 02-14-2000 05:14 PM

ZIPLOCK BAGS... in various sizes. We use these to pack a snack to take with us to the beach, put a wet bathing suit in, carry suntan lotion so that it doesn't get all over everything, put a dirty diaper in so that it doesn't stink up your shore bag...all sorts of things!

Posts: 48 | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Barryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 33

posted 02-14-2000 05:44 PM

I have a list of good things to bring on a cruise. Earplugs are a must for me because I enjoy absolute silence when I sleep. Zip lock bags are a must to keep camera equipment dry. After having lived on cruise ships for two years, the one thing I always wanted to do is fly a kite - I finally got to do it on my last cruise aboard the SeaBreeze last October - Flying a kite off the deck is great fun! Another unique idea is to bring a power strip so you have more than just one or two plugs to charge batteries etc. On my last cruise I also brought a small plug-in Ionizer to clean the air in the room. They just steam-cleaned our carpet in our cabin so the cabin had a funky smell - so the Ionizer came in handy. You can get one of those little plug-in Ionizers at Sharper Image. Hey, when I cruise...I go prepared.

Posts: 1851 | From: Bloomington, Minnesota (Home to the Mall of America) | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged

Debi
First Class Passenger
Member # 936

posted 02-14-2000 05:52 PM

Some good ideas I got from a chat board before my first cruise were:

Handwipes in single packages (for shore excursions).

Highlighter for the daily activities list.

Shoestring and one-hole punch - so you can tie your room card/key around your waist or neck.

Posts: 52 | From: Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Green
First Class Passenger
Member # 171

posted 02-14-2000 06:35 PM

In addition to almost everything mentioned above I never leave home without Crazy Glue and a miniature eyeglasses repair kit.
As a contact lens wearer I also carry a penlight and, of course, spare lens.

Posts: 2913 | From: Markham, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Laura
First Class Passenger
Member # 924

posted 02-14-2000 09:18 PM

MagnmPI and Debi: you were both on Voyager...did they have safes in the rooms? We leave in less than 2 weeks now...I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!!! Any other tips you want to share???

Posts: 114 | From: Ohio | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

DianaD
First Class Passenger
Member # 1010

posted 02-14-2000 09:35 PM

There were safes in the room, you set them with your own number code, you do not have to use a credit card.

If you enjoy the cruise as much as we did you will have a wonderful time.

Any questions you have don't hesitate to ask me.

Posts: 308 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Laura
First Class Passenger
Member # 924

posted 02-14-2000 09:48 PM

Thanks, Diana! Here's another question for you: I read on many of the reviews of this ship that the mini-fridges are fully packed and have a sensor on them so if you remove any of the sodas inside to replace them with your own drinks, that you'll be charged! I also read that people that have complained about it have been told that they can go ahead and remove the things that are in it to put your own drinks in. Is this true? I am planning on bringing cokes and bottled water and would like to keep it cold in the fridge. What have you heard?

Posts: 114 | From: Ohio | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

DianaD
First Class Passenger
Member # 1010

posted 02-14-2000 10:16 PM

What you have heard is correct, they do have the fridges with sensors, the same as a lot of hotels do now. We used their Sodas and Water and took our own bottle of Rum so we didn't need to ask them to empty the fridge. You could however ask your cabin steward to give you an extra ice bucket and keep some of your drinks in that.

Posts: 308 | From: Whitby, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 02-14-2000 11:43 PM

I have a little "catch all" that has just about anything you can imagine in it. Extension cord, plier tool, plug adaptor, various drugs ( Tylenol etc.) Scissors, needle and thread, glue, mini magnifying glass,pen light,safety pins,tape, batteries, sea sick patches, bandaids, etc. ,etc...
I take it whenever I travel anywhere.
EXTRA HANGERS!! Extra carryone bag for all the stuff you bring back. Visor in case your face gets sunburnt. A fanny pack. A lot of people use these on shore. I can't think of any more right now. I always think I bring too much, but it is amazing how often I use something I wouldn't have thought about. My camcorder strap broke and I used the plier tool to bend the metal ring. My heel broke on one of my dress shoes and super glue did the trick! Don't be shy about asking the cabin steward for things. The first thing I always ask for is extra pillows. You only have to ask once and they will leave them in your cabin for the length of your stay.

Posts: 697 | From: Stanwood, Wa. USA | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

Scottylass
First Class Passenger
Member # 420

posted 02-15-2000 03:06 AM

Some great tips here, and some I will take up on my next cruise, but Mercy I would really like to cruise on the same ship you are cruising on, because I think you must have covered it all, infact you better not let on which cruise you are going on next, or I am sure your cabin door will be knocked off with cruisers wanting you to come to the rescue.

Posts: 648 | From: Stirlingshire, Scotland | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 02-15-2000 06:57 AM

Hi..couple more things...a small Swiss army knife will go through security with no problem. 1" wide 1st.Aid tape has a hundred uses. Purinol now has small purse size bottles of hand sanitizer (waterless hand wash)which you can refill from a big one. Great stuff for shore trips, and Walmart has their own brand at half the price. Couple of small bungy cords. Flu shots..our Doc has us getting our 2nd. one for this year before we go again next month. Zinc tablets, especially for the long flights, which you are almost guaranteed to catch something on these days with the lousy air....peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

Ascendancy
First Class Passenger
Member # 840

posted 02-15-2000 08:29 AM

MagnmPI
No serious horror stories to report about the dreaded Pursers desk, just misinformation, and at times treated like a box of dog food. Maybe I'm snake bit, but I even get grief when I'm just asking for change. Unbelieveable!

Posts: 354 | From: Aurora, CO | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

Debi
First Class Passenger
Member # 936

posted 02-15-2000 09:02 AM

To Laura,
The pursor's desk will, without any problem, remove charges you incur by removing things from the frig and then putting them back, so I guess you could take their things out and replace them with your own temporarily. I'm not sure they'd be nice enough to actually empty it at your request, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to ask!
Debi

Posts: 52 | From: Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Barryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 33

posted 02-15-2000 01:46 PM

I forgot to mention a real important item to bring on a cruise.. "ECHINACEA" is an absolute must! When you think about it, there are 2000 people contained inside a giant steel floating box, and you are inevitably going to catch something... If a passenger sneezes a couple of cabins down, it will most likely float through the ventilation system. I have often caught some bug when I first get on a ship, then after my body gets use to it, I must develop a resistance for it or something. Echinacea is a nutritional supplement that helps to boost the immune system in your body. I take it a couple of days before I go on a cruise, and then everyday during the cruise. It has helped.

Posts: 1851 | From: Bloomington, Minnesota (Home to the Mall of America) | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged

Ascendancy
First Class Passenger
Member # 840

posted 02-15-2000 02:42 PM

You know Barryboat, now that you mention it,
every cruise I've been on, all that rich food itches my you know what after I sit on the white porcelin throne. Will Echinacea help that?

Posts: 354 | From: Aurora, CO | Registered: Oct 1999 | IP: Logged

Barryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 33

posted 02-15-2000 06:06 PM

I think that problem is mostly because of the water. The water is treated with chlorine. I would be interested to hear from people who get sick towards the middle to end of their cruise. Perhaps I'll start a new thread.

Posts: 1851 | From: Bloomington, Minnesota (Home to the Mall of America) | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged

Terri Lee
First Class Passenger
Member # 942

posted 02-15-2000 07:58 PM

I was told by my Tropical Disease Doctor,who is also the Local Medical Health Officer, to always take with me on a cruise(especially),
PEPTO-BISMOL tablets(chewable). It seems they have a certain ingredient that really works on "foreign invaders",so to speak.So when you start to feel a bit queasy,after a meal,just take 2 or 4 of these tablets and within about 5 minutes you should be feeling OK. I always take Pepto-Bismol tablets with me whenever I go on a cruise and they work like a charm. Only drawback is they tend to turn everything black but don't be alarmed,it is perfectly normal and doesn't last long.

To be honest,I think a lot of so-called seasickness is slight "food-poisoning". Try and keep away from cream fillings(you don't know how long they have been sitting out of the fridge).

One more item I always take with me is a small flashlight(the power has been known to fail on board,you know.)

I have already posted on another site re. catching colds etc on board.It might interest some of you.

That's all for now.

Posts: 292 | From: Burlington Ontario Canada | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 02-15-2000 08:08 PM

Terri Lee - my daughter just told that the doctor at the Tropical Diseases clinic also told her to take one Pepto Bismol tablet every morning when she went to Mexico. Never knew that. The last couple of times that I have been on a cruise I have come home with a sinus infection. Think I will try the Pepto next time.
Ascendency - this has been a great post. I thought I had thought of everything to take, but see that there is more to add to my kit.
Thanks to everyone.

[This message has been edited by sympatico (edited 02-15-2000).]

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Mercy
First Class Passenger
Member # 322

posted 02-15-2000 11:39 PM

Scottylass...
I wish you COULD be on our next cruise with us. Then YOU could help carry all the extra baggage my wife packs with us. Being prepared for anything has it's drawbacks!
MR. MERCY

Posts: 697 | From: Stanwood, Wa. USA | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

Scottylass
First Class Passenger
Member # 420

posted 02-17-2000 03:07 AM

MR.MERCY,

I am not very good at carrying things either and every trip I have to listen to MR. Scotty.... (I don't think he would like me to call him a lass) preach to me about cutting down as well, but you know us women - we all have a mind of our own don't we.....but always remember who it is that saves the day when all those little niggly things start happening - I can just hear it, OH Yes I have something in my bag that will just do the trick......

Posts: 648 | From: Stirlingshire, Scotland | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 02-18-2000 07:17 AM

The handiest thing to take on a cruise:

My wife - she's good company, good at packing and can sew!

Malcolm

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

jwine
First Class Passenger
Member # 634

posted 02-18-2000 08:49 AM

Ginger capsules - best thing for seasickness and no side effects! Won't leave home without them.

Posts: 223 | From: Cincinnati, OH USA | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

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